What: 2009 Backcountry Llama Rendezvous and Drive-in.

When: September 11-13, 2009

About Ensign Ranch

Ensign Ranch is a 320 acre ranch situated along the Yakima River and easily
accessible from I-90. We will be camping in Yakima Meadows along the
Yakima River, pictured to the right (click to enlarge).
The river is behind the tents in the photo.
Alternate lodging options are available, including bunkrooms, cabins, A-frames,
and Teepees. In addition to the Yakima River, the ranch has two lakes and
a big creek (creatively named "Big Creek"). The larger lake is nearby on the other
side of Yakima Meadows (on right in photo) where we will be camped and has a
bridge to an island (with Teepees). Canoes and paddle boat are available.
Available alternative activities include archery, fishing, swimming (with rope swing),
horseback riding (rental horses are stabled on site) and more. Restroom
and shower facilities are available. A covered outdoor amphitheater stage is nearby for
our multimedia presentations.

Note: The ranch has certain restrictions, notably, no dogs, alcohol or
smoking on premises. Campfires are in established rings only (at least 10
will be available for use in our camp area).

Activities

As with recent years, this a combined event. In addition to backcountry
llama packers we invite and encourage llama drivers to attend as well and bring
their carts.

Many trails and roads meander throughout the property, some paved. This
is a great area for driving your llamas.

Of course newcomers/ investigators are encouraged to attend too --
the idea is to bring together all aficionados (and interested parties) of
the working llama to learn and have fun.
Youth are encouraged to attend. We're again inviting 4H kids (with
their llamas), though the date may be a bit more challenging for some. Most of these
youth have show experience but few of them
have actual exposure to llama packing or driving. This is a chance for
actual hands-on education about what can be done with llamas as well as
gaining more handling experience, strengthening their relationship with
their llama.

We opted to not rent the lodge this year (@2X the price of last year) in
order to keep costs from rising. Consequently we will not have a
commercial grade kitchen available. Meals will therefore be more "rustic"
compared to the past two years. But we think the change in venue will add
some welcome variety.

We have resumed
offering a Pack Llama Trial
Association (PLTA) Pack Trial this year, for Basic, Advanced and Master
Certification. This activity will be combined with a poker run for prizes.
This way folks can participate just for fun, to obtain PLTA-certification, or both. Note: PLTA
certification requires membership in the
PLTA. (See
below) Note for participants: Expect some
challenging water obstacles.

*All times are approximate and
subject to change. Participants are free to join the scheduled events
above or groups may elect to take advantage of alternate activities. Some
concurrent children's activities are planned.

Some picnic tables are available outdoors but please bring a comfortable chair and your own
camping and packing gear. An amphitheater is nearby with bench seating for the
presentations. Main dish and beverages will be provided Friday night,
and Saturday will be pot luck. A take-out lunch (build your own bag lunch of breads,
peanut butter, jelly fruit
and chips) on Saturday. Donations of side dishes are very welcome for
additional variety. You are
encouraged to share a favorite on-the-pack-trail dish (or side dish) and
recipes. Hearty
breakfasts will be provided onsite accepting optional donation for llama rescue
and 4-H llama project fundraisers Saturday and Sunday. Saturday will
include pumpkin+pecan pancakes with huckleberry syrup, bacon or sausage, and
juice. Sunday will include oatmeal, eggs, sausage or bacon.
Some paper products and plastic utensils will be available but supplies
may be limited.

Llama pack
gear is recommended (optional) for the poker run. Bring your driving
equipment. The weather is expected to be about 83F on Saturday with lots of sunshine, so bring your
hats, sunglasses and cameras. Forecast low is 53F at night, so some layered warm clothing is recommended.
The rains typically do not arrive until after September
but some light rain gear or umbrella is prudent, though no rain is in
the forecast. The ground is dry. The llamas will have a grassy area.
Tethers or portable corrals. Water
buckets and canteen/coolers (potable water is available). Bring your GPS
receiver, maps and compass.

What to Leave Behind

Important: Practice Leave no Trace principles insofar as
practical. Please pick up any pellets and bits of hay before you leave and
deposit all garbage in the receptacles. It's important to leave the camp
area clean.

What to Order

Aside from event T-shirts, etc., Barb Brady of Llama Hardware will be at
rendezvous with a limited selection of goods. If you are looking for
anything in particular contact her before Wednesday the 9th to request she bring
it.

Costs are $40 per adult for the entire weekend.
Kids ages 10-18 are $15 for the weekend. Kids under 10 are free. Opt.
family rate $100. Group discounts available. Members of 4-H or FFA,
50% off. Discounts also available for seminar and activity organizers.
Inquire. Vendor fee $40. Fees cover the campground from 1PM Sept. 11
to 11AM Sept. 13, firewood (one armload), prizes, food, attendance and
participation in all events. Please have registration (and T-shirt, etc. orders)
in by Friday, 21 August 2009. After that date fees increase to $45 for adults
and $20 for 10 -18.

Located 75 mi. SE of Seattle and 7 mi. W of Cle Elum. Take Exit
78 off I-90 to Golf Course Road, Turn North. Turn West (Left) at the “T” onto
Hundley Road. You will parallel the Freeway as you drive to the end of the road,
which will take you right into Ensign Ranch, address 3551 Hundley Rd. The office is straight ahead under
the US Flag. The Yakima campground is beyond the office on the right (see
map).

PLTA Course Requirements

Five basic Manageability Tasks of haltering, jumping in and out
of a trailer, saddling, loading packs, and being tied out on a picket line for 5
minutes.

1. Basic level - Minimum age 24 months. Llamas age 24 to 30
months will carry no weight, but will have filled out packs. Llamas over 30
months will carry 10% of body weight. Llamas will cover 3 miles, gain at least
250-500 feet elevation and negotiate a minimum of 5 obstacles; including 1
water, 1 deadfall, and 1 jump.

Some participants are packing in to nearby
Pete Lake after rendezvous.
The trailhead at Cooper Lake is a short drive (less than an hour and all paved
except for the last mile or two of gravel/dirt) from the Rendezvous location
(via Roslyn) and is an easy
five mile hike
to Pete Lake, elevation 3000'.
The plan is to set up base camp here and day hike to various sites nearby (more
strenuous terrain), some
on the Pacific Crest Trail, or the more adventurous may pack in farther.
Hikes to Escondido and Spectacle lakes are planned. The very scenic Waptus
Pass loop and lookout station is a good hike for the very hardy.
This trip is intended for experienced/equipped packers, but backpackers
interested in seeing what llama packing is all about are very welcome to join
in.

Click here for
a map of the hiking area (490K file). For a high resolution printable
version (1.9MB) of same, click
here.
(Adobe Reader v9 required.)